Orthographic projection

Orthographic projection, common method of representing three-dimensional objects, usually by three two-dimensional drawings in each of which the object is viewed along parallel lines that are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. For example, an orthographic projection of a house typically consists of a top view, or plan, and a front view and one side view (front and side elevations).

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...far out in space. If the perspective is from the centre of the Earth, the projection is called gnomonic; if from the far side of the Earth’s surface, it is stereographic; if from space, it is called orthographic.

The projection used for engineering and architectural drawings is called orthogonal (“right-angled”) or orthographic because the lines of sight from points on the object to the picture plane of the image are perpendicular to that plane. Thus, the lines of sight, called projectors, are parallel rather than convergent (as they are in the central projection of the eye, the camera, and...